Daily Inspiration: Meet Bailey T. Hurley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey T. Hurley.

Hi Bailey T., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The publishing industry can feel like a popularity contest in high school. Publishers don’t want to just see great storytelling anymore, they want to see a personality. They want to see courses pushed, products sold, and clickable content. When I began pursuing publishing as a route to take my ideas, I had no idea the hoops I’d need to jump through. Now, I am extremely fortunate that my journey was not as arduous as other writers but it did require more strategy and brand building than what I had dreamed up as a little girl. I began in 2016 with a baby idea. After submitting it to writing agents I was told: you need a mailing list, you need a social media presence, you need to be a semi-household name. I had none of these things and had yet to even use Instagram. So, I got to work. I needed to supplement my writing by also becoming a micro-influencer…easier said than done. On the other side of things, I was writing on my most favorite topic — female friendship. It was something I was already passionate about in my personal life so putting it down on paper (who am I kidding, on a Word document) and sharing it with others was a boost of adrenaline to fuel the other side of the writing business. In May of 2022 I published Together is a Beautiful Place: finding, keeping and loving our friends. It was. day to celebrate the hard work and all the people who held my hand along the way–and there were a lot of people. Now, I am no Kristin Hannah or Brene Brown but one book continues to open doors for me to teach and speak on the topic of friendship and hopefully there will be more books to come.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I was first signed by an agent, I was walking on cloud nine. Everything was going in the right direction. We shopped my book around for about 8 months with no bites. Then, my agent announced that he was retiring and he passed me on to a new agent. Immediately, the term “new agent” sent me into a spiral. Of course, new writer, new agent…what could go wrong. Well, after my first meeting with my new agent, I knew he didn’t understand what I was trying to do and when someone doesn’t understand your project, it’s hard to go anywhere. After another year of zero help, I was about to send a scathing email and potentially putting myself at risk to go and find a new agency when (on that exact day) I received an email from the agency that he had quit. Honestly, I was happy for him. I don’t think he knew what he was doing and many of us understand the anxiety of having a job you are completely unqualified for. So, I was passed to a third agent. And we were still sitting on this stale book proposal. My third agent swooped in and slapped a new lipstick on that book and within months, we had signed the contract with a publisher.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an author and friendship coach. I especially enjoy working with women to help them become “unstuck” in their unhealthy friendship routines. Or affirm their decision to end a friendship and provide conversation tools for them to speak honestly with that friend. I use writing as my best resource–it’s free for anyone to read and there’s a lot of good stuff, if I do say so myself. My tone is upbeat and positive while also giving some tough-love answers. We don’t have time to waste on “okay” friendships here. We all want meaningful connection so we need to get real about pursuing intentional community.

I’m best known for my friend date ideas. Trying to find inexpensive ways for people to have fun and connect. When you are tired of the coffee date (though scientifically proven to be a fairly successful way to get to know someone), you can find my ideas on Instagram to help women reconnect with their people. I also am a guest on dozens of podcasts–you can find those on my website, as well. I am a Christian and so it does set me apart for anyone who is looking for faith-based conversation but I don’t strictly work with Christians.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice for connecting with a mentor is to be really specific in your ask. Here’s how not to ask: I really admire you, would you consider mentoring me?” It’s indefinite, it’s vague and the request will fall on busy ears that see red flashing warning lights to say no and run. Instead say something like this: Hey, I have noticed how you present confidently and communicate your ideas effectively. I want to grow in my presentation skills. Would you allow me to take you to coffee once a month for the next three months and have you provide some guidance over my presentations? I’d appreciate the time you might have to helping me grow in the organization and hopefully strengthen the whole team.

Contact Info:

• Website: baileythurley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailey.t.hurley/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@baileyhurley2778
• Other: https://a.co/d/4ZcGghE

Image Credits
Image credits go to BrynMarae Photography